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kh1h's avatar

This is wild. A sitting member of congress in an assisted living facility, in a memory care unit, still collecting a salary and presumably weighing in on political issues impacting constituents…and voting. It could be argued that Biden is living in an assisted living facility as well …the White House.

It’s a geriatric free for all in American politics!

Susan Becraft's avatar

I’m trying to figure out which is worse: A member of Congress with dementia who doesn’t vote, or a member of Congress *with* dementia who does.

And I’m trying to figure out the rationale of the journalist who won’t report on anything that would stop the flow of information from their Congressional sources. Is it any wonder that more and more people have replaced the MSM with independent journalists and social media as sources for their information?

J. Rock's avatar

I love the way you kick hornet's nests. Thanks. You've inspired me to subscribe!

Ken Klippenstein's avatar

Thanks! love to light my career prospects on fire for your amusement

Laurie Underwood's avatar

FYI re the purchase price, many jurisdictions don't require it to be stated on the face of the deed, and in those places, consideration of ten dollars is quite common. The actual purchase price is usually listed on a declaration type of form and taxed accordingly. For example, in Georgia, it's $1 per $1000. I'd have to look at Tarrant County to see how they handle it.

Randy Paulson's avatar

“Mothball Mafia” is just excellent. Great work, as always, sir!

Wyrd Folk's avatar

And this is why capitalism can’t have nice things.

Louise's avatar

Wild. Why wtf was her deed transferred to this guy? Does she not have children or other family?

Teddy Partridge's avatar

Predatory elder abuse is more common than reported throughout the United States; this may be an example of theft from an elder. More reporting is needed here.

Cantankerous Iconoclast's avatar

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah 🕎 Ken

Your journalistic skills this year have been very impressive and I’m proud to say I am now a paying subscriber. Here’s to more exposing of the corrupt government and the gerontocracy in 2025 🥂

Ken Klippenstein's avatar

Thank you! Happy Holidays to you as well. Hopefully I'll get some time to enjoy them but these crazy stories keep falling into my lap lol

Clayton Eskew's avatar

I appreciate how you put a torch to the how to win friends and influence people style of journalism.

Ken Klippenstein's avatar

it's a bullshit approach premised on the assumption that you can't get scoops any other way. i'm proof positive that's fault!

Dan Stover's avatar

I’ve just recently started following you, and this kind of coverage and your journalistic integrity has turned me into a paid subscriber, Ken. Please keep up the good, hard work. We need you.

Marnie's avatar

Pretty soon they will need to add an ALF/memory care wing inside the Capitol.

JennyStokes's avatar

ill it be called: Geriatrics Anonymous?

Eric's avatar

Been subscribed, stay subscribed

Brian's avatar

What good are sources if you never do any reporting? I'm also curious how hard these octogenarians bite. I find myself longing for the days of the muckraker and their political insiders. Do these young politicians, such as they exist, not have the stomach for the true pursuit of power? It seems if they did, they would be leaking and lobbing this stuff to the press like full Depends, throwing the sunsetting careers of these Boomers under the duallies of their transport vans.

Brian's avatar

To be clear, by "you", I meant the reporter Ken referenced. Ken is doing the proper reporting, which is why I subscribe.

Erica's avatar

Paid subscription is worth it for so many reasons but reading phrases like Mothball Mafia make it extra worth it

Teddy Partridge's avatar

Excellent reporting. Who in the Texas delegation, of which Granger is the "dean" knew about her absence and relocation to Assisted Living? Who in the GOP House caucus knew why she'd been absent and where she was? When she stepped down as Chair of House Appropriations (!) last spring, who on the Hill knew about her health? Having appointed herself House Appropriations Chair Emerita, ready and eager to assist the new Committee Chair, what did she do in this regard? Does the new (returning) Chair, Tom Cole, have any comment about his mid-cycle ascension to Chair in April of this year?

Teddy Partridge's avatar

Also: Granger was in DC last month (there's pictures here: https://appropriations.house.gov/news/blogs/members-celebrate-texas-tough-kay-granger) for an event on Capitol Hill to celebrate her tenure and unveil her Chair Portrait. All the members of GOP House leadership attended and celebrated her service.

Just Plain Me's avatar

About the deed, when you talk about the transfer being $10.00, does that mean to the other people, on this case to Garrison and Stone? If that's the case, could they be custodians or some type of legal guardian? Another possibility could be they have a connection to the Dementia care facility, like owners or part owners. They might be using the house as either collateral for her care in the facility or there's an upfront exchange for her care, no matter how short or long she lives. Those facilities can be very expensive, even at $25,000/mo.

That all said, something must be done about the cover ups happening in Congress and other govt positions, like the president, for the concealments.